U.S. and French navies conduct dual carrier ops

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) began dual carrier flight operations with French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) in the Mediterranean Sea March 02, 2020.

Today we’ve tracked a C-2B departed from the USS Eisenhower so we can locate the positionof the ship approximately in the central Mediterranean Sea.

#USNavy Grumman C-2A (162172) left USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) for Souda Bay AB pic.twitter.com/DACKAIrnxa

— ItaMilRadar (@ItaMilRadar) March 3, 2020

These dual carrier operations demonstrate the combined military capability fostered by working alongside the French Navy for many years.

“As a result of regular exchanges and cooperative training on a routine basis, our interoperability has advanced to an extremely high level,” said Vice Adm. Laurent Isnard, the French Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean. “Our navies are truly plug-and-fight, especially in the Mediterranean but also throughout the world.”

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) has a history of operating with U.S. carriers. In 2016, IKE and CDG similarly operated alongside each other and conducted joint operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from the Mediterranean Sea. As recently as last year, CDG also operated with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) while in the Red Sea.

“Our seamless interoperability at sea demonstrates our collective ability to conduct high-end integrated operations whenever and wherever we choose,” said Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, Commander of U.S. 6th Fleet. “Joint operations with these two carrier strike groups in the Mediterranean underscores the commitment of the U.S. and French navies to security and stability in the maritime domain.”

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

(via www.c6f.navy.mil/ )